Zachary Snow: Texan Sues Marines For Making Him Exercise In Hot Weather

They don't make Marines like they used to. Or Texans, for that matter.

That's the likely response from grumbly old-timers who learn that Zachary Ryan Snow, a Marine recruit, is suing the USMC in federal court because, he says, he was forced to exercise in a Texas summer and suffered heat stroke.

If only Private Pyle knew he could have taken the Gunny Sergeant to court!!

Snow says he was part of the Marines' "Delayed Entry/Enlistment program," and therefore has "never been, and at no time was, an active duty United States Marine," according to his lawsuit.

A year ago, the suit says, he took part in a training session in Denton County "under the direct supervision of [USMC's] employees/instructors."

Things did not go well.

Snow "was participating in vigorous physical activity...during extreme heat conditions," the suit says. Snow "complied with these instructions. The temperature in Denton reached or exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit that day. Plaintiff was hospitalized, suffered a massive heat stroke and his liver was damaged."

He's suing for negligence, saying the Marines did not provide, among other things, any water (not to mention "an adequate amount of cool fresh water"), for subjecting huim "to physical risk without properly determining his condition for strenuous physical activity" and for failing to provide a safety vehicle or Navy Corpsman on site to handle emergencies.

The suit will be heard in the Eastern District of Texas, where Snow should hope former Marines fill the jury pool.